Sullivan, Laura L. Ladies In Waiting.

Sullivan, Laura L.  Ladies In Waiting.    Houghton Mifflin/ Harcourt Brace  328p    $16.99      978-0-547-58129-3       ms/hs       VG    Historical Fiction

In this novel three Elizabeths (Zabby, Beth, and Eliza) are sent to the court of Charles II by their parents for different reasons.  Eliza wants to be a playwright for the King’s Theater, but her father wants her to marry well so he will have an influence at court.  Zabby comes to court from the Islands so that she can further her scientific studies and gain access to the King’s laboratory.  Beth is a poor noble girl whose mother is putting her on the marriage market to further the family's status.

The court is teeming with mysteries, schemes, and jealousies, along with allegiances made and broken daily.  Into this drama King Charles welcomes his new bride, Queen Catherine.  The three Elizabeths befriend the queen and becoming her ladies in waiting.

The daily intrigues and doings of the three ladies will provide the reader with chuckles and despair as they follow their future.  Life at court is exciting as they deal with the theater, love affairs, and overly determined mothers.  Readers will not want to put the book down until it is finished.

This historical novel will be a good addition to any collection that needs Great Britain history.  It will show readers the everyday activities of court life.  However, it was not recommended for our "Books of Note" category because of the lack of author notes and historical notes, which would have helped readers understand the jargon and timeline of the Court.

English courts-Fiction, King Charles II-Fiction, Great Britain-Fiction,                                                                   --Linda McNeil